Dry ice air conditioning unit for vehicles



June 13, 1939. R. F. PEO

DRY ICE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FOR VEHICLES- Filed Oct. 19, 1936 v5 Sheets-Shes?l 1 Qu/2H P50.

June 13, 1939. R. F. PEO

DRY ICE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FOR VEHICLES Filed oct. 19, 193e :s sheets-sheet 2 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 R. F. PEO

Filed Ot. 19, 1936 zo 14 ,14n

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Patented June 13, `19739 i i UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE" A DRY ICE A1B'. CONDITIONING UNIT FOR VEHICLES Ralph F. reo, Buffalo, N. Y., assignerl to Houde Engineering Corporation, Buffalo, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 19, 1936, Serial No. 106,328

^ 9 claims. (ci. ca -i3) This invention relates to air cooling units hicle battery or tothe generator of the motor adapted to be mounted on the roofs of vehicles driving the vehicle. for cooling the interior of the vehicle. t It is then an object of this inventionto pro- More specifically this invention relates to comvide air cooling units mountable on. the roofs of pact air conditioning units mountable on the automotive vehicles for cooling air withdrawn 5 roofs of automotive vehicles and equipped with from the interior of the vehicles by thermal coninsulated chambers for dry ice or other cooling tact with a cooling agent housed in the unit. agent and containing air circulating means for A further object of this invention is to prowithdrawing air from the interior of the vehicle, vide dry ice operated air conditioning `units 10 ,circulating the withdrawnair into thermal conadapted to be mounted on the roof of automo- 10' tact with the cooling agent to be cooled thereby tive vehicles for cooling air withdrawn from the and propelling the cooled air back `into the vevehicle interiors and for propelling the cooled air hicle. back to the vehicle interior.

The invention will be hereinafter speciiically A further object of this invention is to provide l5 described in connection with closed passenger air cooling units of standard design for mounting "l5 type automobiles but it should be understood on the roofs of all types'of vehicles and to adapt that the units of this invention are adapted tothe standard units to a particular roof contour be mounted on the lroofs of all types-of veby a separate shroud ri`ng\ provided for that hicles having a storage space, passenger comlparticular roofv contour.

partment or the like to be cooled. A further object of the invention is to provide .20

According tov this invention a compact streama .roof mounted icebox `for automotive vehicles lined unit is built up on a supporting base, prefand to carry air circulating means in said box erably a, flatplate, and the entire unit is mounted for withdrawing ail' from the nteIiOl 0f the veon the roof of an automobile body.l Air conhicle over the ice cooled chambers inthe unit nections to the linterior of the body are provided and fOr DlOpelling the C001ed ail' back t0 the in- 25 by merely cutting a plurality of small holes y terior of the vehicle. through the roof of the vehicle and joining these t A further Object 0f this invention -iS i0 DlOVide holes with .exible tubing to the inlet and dis- .standardized self-contained units for mounting charge ports in the base of the unit.- The unit on the roofs of automotive vehicles to cool the contains one or more insulated chambers for interior of the vehicles. 30 receiving the cooling agent. Access to the inte- Other and further objects of this invention will rior of the chamber is provided by doors hingedly become apparent to those skilled in the art from carried on top of the unit. The cooling chambers the following detailed description of the annexed are arranged so as to provide a maximum amount sheets of drawings which disclose preferred ernof heat absorbingv surface for cooling air clrcu- 4bodimerlts of the invention. 35 lated around the chamber. A motor .driven On the drawings: blower is preferably provided for each chamber Figure 1 is a fragmentary Side elevational view to withdraw air from the interior of the vehicle of an automobile body 0f the Sedan type h-Ving overvthe heat. absorbing surfacesof the cooling an air Cenditining unit according to this invencompartment and for propelling the cooled air tion mounted on the roof thereof. 40

back into the interior o`f the vehicle. Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical The units are readily mountable on anytype cross-sectional view, with a part in elevation, .of automobile roof and a shroud ring or band taken substantially along the line II-II 0f Figis preferably used around the base of the unit ure 1.

to t the contour of the particular roof on which Figure 3 iS a 120D Plan View 0f the air COndi- 45 the unit is mounted. In this manner a standard tioning unit shown in Figure 1 with a part broken .unit can be mounted on any type of automobile away and shown in horizontal cross-section along roof and streamlined to the contour of the roof the line III-#III of Figure 1.

by separate shroud `bands designed for the par- Figure 4'is a vertical cross-'sectional view taken ticular roof. substantially along the .line IV-IV of Figure 3. 50

The units of this invention require no me- Figure 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an chanical connection to the automotive vehicle alternative form of air conditioning unit accord- 'other than theprovision of small intake and ing to this invention. discharge'ports through the roof of the vehicle Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical and the connection of eleeinicyvires to the vecross-sectional view, withparts shown in eleva- 55 closed type'having a rigid roof I I and a passenger space I2. According to this invention an air conditioning unit I3 mounted on a flat base plate I4 is secured to the roof II of the automobile body I8. The unit I3 is one of a standardized size and shape and is fitted to the individual contour of the roof II by means of a shroud skirt I5 secured to thebase I4 of the unit and extending downwardly therefrom to snugly 'fit the roof line contour. The shroud skirt is the only part of the units of this invention which must be designed to t a particular roof line contour.

The air conditioning unit I3 is streamlined to oier a minimum air resistance.

As best shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 the air cooling unit I3 comprises one or more rigid members IB such as castings bolted to the base plate I4 of the unit by means of bolts I1. The base plate I4 is preferably covered with a metal sheet I4a as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The castings I6 dene relatively deep open topped receptacles I8 for the cooling agent and smaller air receiving passageways I9 and 20 on each end of the receptacles I8.

The receptacles I8 have corrugated bottoms I8a in spaced relation from the base plate I4 of the unit to provide large heat absorbing surfaces for air passing therearound from the passageway I9 into the passageway 20 of the members.

The base plates I4 and [4a of the unit I3 are provided with a plurality of openings 2| there-l through in communication with the passageways I9 of the members I6. The openings 2| communicate with openings cut through the roofA II of the automobile body I0 so that air from the interior I2 of the body can be drawn into the passageway I9 ofthe members I6.

The portions 28 of the members I3 are formed to provide circular mouths 22 thereon for receiv- `ing the intake sides of blowers 23. The blowers 23 can be rigidly clamped in the mouths. 22 and thus suppored by the members I8.l Electric motors 24 are mounted on the blower casings 23 for driving the blowers.

The ports 25 of the blowers 23 can conveniently receive exible tubing 26 therearound. The tubing 26' extends through openings 21 in the base plates of the unit and can be conveniently inserted in corresponding openings formed through the roof Il of the vehicle body. Similar tubing can connect the openings 2|v in the base plates of the unit with the openings formedthrough the roof of the vehicle. 4

Conduit wires 28 for energizing the motor 24 can conveniently pass through the tubing 26A and through the roof II where they can be threaded behind the upholstery in the vehicle into connection with the storage battery or motor generator for supplying current to the motor 24.

comparatively heavy gauge curved metal plates 30 form the sides of the unit I3 as shown in` I8 are closed by heavily insulated doors 34 arcanes Vhingedly connected to the sheet metal 32 or to the members I6 by means of hinges 35. The doors are held in closed position by means of locking lingers 38.

Insulation 31 is packed all around the members I3, motors 24 and blowers 23 and extends solidly to the walls 30 and 32 forming the outer casing of the unit. The insulation 31 is preferably of the molded type and can be made in preshaped blocks to snugly fit around the elements in the unit.

Breather tubes or'vents 38 are provided as shown in Figure 2 to permit the escape of gases from the receptacles or chambers I8. The tubes 38 can conveniently pass through the side walls of the receptacles and side plates 30 of the units.

From the above descriptions it should be understood that the units I3 according to this invention are made in standardized sizes and are mounted on iiat bases. The units contain one or more members such as castings which provide chambers for refrigerant and dene with the base plate passageways for air passing through the units to be cooled by thermal contact with the cooling agent receptacles. 'I'he members have been described as castings but it should be understood that the same can be built upl from separate elements@ These members are well insulated from the atmosphere and from the sun rays so that most of the cooling capacities of the cooling agents inserted into the receptacles or ice boxes through a passageway 20 and is blown back into the car through the roof thereof by means of the fan or bIower.

In some installations only one member I6 may be used while in other installations as many as three or four members I6 can be used depending upon the width vand size of the automobile on which the unit is to be mounted. It should be U understood, of course, that the dry ice or other cooling agent is readily inserted into the receptacles I8 by merely opening the doors on top of the unit. These doors are formed with outer contours conforming with the streamlined shape of the unit.

The unit described in Figures 1 to 4 receives air from the rear portion of the vehicle and propels the cooled air into the front portion of the vehicle over the drivers seat. It should be understood, of course, that the direction of air circulation can be reversed and that the cooled air can be discharged to the rear portion of the vehicle. This reversal of the air flow would be desirable in taxi-cab installations.

The cooled air is introduced at the top of the vehicle where it can readilyv diiIuse downwardly around the passengers without creating uncom# fortable cold blasts. Likewise the air to be cooled is removed from the top of the vehicle since the.

warm air in the vehicle rises to the top.

In Figures 5 and 6 there is illustrated an alternative form of unit in which the air 119W is reversed and a different type of heat exchanger is used. Parts identical with parts described in Figures l to 4 have been identied with the same reference numerals.

In Figures 5 and 6 the cooling agent receptacle 4|!` of thefmembers I6 is not provided with a bottom such as is described in Figures 2 to 4 but, on the other hand, extends tothe base plate I4a. In other words the e'nd walls 4I and 42 defining the receptacle 40 extend downwardly into tight engagement with the metal plate I4a on the base plate I4 thereby blocking off, the passageway I9 from the passageway 20. However the walls 4I and 42 are provided with a plurality of openings therethrough for receiving the ends of metal tubes 43 lwhich extend through the receptacle 40. The cooling agent inserted in the receptacle 40 can be packed around the tubes 43 to cool the same.

Air from the vehicle interior is withdrawn through openings in the vehicle roof into the flexible tubing 44 communicating with the intake port 45 of ablower 4S. The blower 46 is propelled by a motor 41 actuated by current supplied from the vehicle storage battery or generator through electric wires 4 8. The blower 46 propelsthe air through` the passageway 20 into the tubes 43 where it is cooled by thermal contact therewith. The cooled air then circulates through the passageway I9 and downwardly through the openings 2| in the base plate of the unit and through openings provided in the vehicle roof to the passenger space of the vehicle. Obviously the direction of the air can be reversed so that air from the vehicle is received in the passageway I9 and discharged through the flexible tubes 44.

The invention therefore broadly comprises standardized air cooling units to be mounted on the roofs of, vehicles for housing cooling agents to cool air withdrawn from the vehicle interior.

The units include air circulating means and heat exchangers for obtaining a maximum absorption of heat from the air circulated therethrough. The units are readily adapted to conform with particular roofl contours by means of individually cut shroud skirts readily fastened around the units,

Cooling agents are conveniently loaded into the unit through doors formed on the tops thereof. The units can be made of standardized designs and need not be architecturally'built for any particular car. They can be manufacturedseparately as an accessory readily installed on any make o f vehicle. Only small openings need be cut through the roof of the vehicle and the roof structure is thereby not weakened. No driving connections are necessary other than the electric wires for energizing the blower motor.

The unit .on the roof of a vehicle serves a secondary function 'in that it provides an insu-` lated chamber above the roof protecting the roof against heating by the sunsrays and even against the cold. The passenger or storage space ,under` the'roof is thus further'insulated from heat or cold by the unit, irrespective of whether or not the elements in the unit are operating. invention therefore includes the provision of a secondary roof= over the vehicle roof and insulating the spaces therebetween to further insulate the passenger, or storage space under the vehicle roof. '.I'he insulated space between the roofs, when the unit is operating, is cooled by a cooling Qagent, and a'fluid, such as air, is cooled in the varied through'a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I,

therefore, do notI purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art. y

I claim as` my invention:

1. An air conditioner for vehicles comprising a substantially fiat base plate having air inlet and outlet openings therethrough,-a-casting secured toI said plate defining a central ice chest and passageways on each side of the chest communieating respectively with said inlet and outlet openings in thebase plate, said ice chest having a heat exchanger surface providing ducts connecting the passageways, a blower secured to the casting for propelling air from the inlet ports through the ducts and out 'of the outlet ports, insulation surrounding said casting and blower and a covering carried by the base plate surrounding said insulation to provide a streamlined contour for` the unit.

2. A standardized automobile air conditioner adapted to be mounted on the roof of a closed type automobile comprising a substantially ilatV base plate, a member secured to said base plate defining a central ice chest and passageways on each side of the chest, said ice chest having a heat exchanger surface providing ducts connecting the passageways,'a blower secured to said member for propelling air through the passageways, insulation surrounding said member and said blower, a metal covering surrounding said insulation, said covering having an aperture above said ice chest, an insulated door closing said' aperture and a shroud skirt surrounding said base plate to conform with the particular roof contour on which the air conditioner is. mounted.

3. A self-contained standardized air conditioner for rigid roofed automobiles comprising a streamlined insulated housing having a fiat base, said base having air inlet and outlet ports therein, a member in said housing defining an open topped ice chest, an insulated door on top of said housing giving access to the ice chest, a blower in said housing for propelling air around the ice chest to be cooled by contacttherewith, an electric motor in said housing for driving the blower, and a skirt adapted to be secured to the base plate around the housing for fitting the housing to the contour of the. automobile roof on which it is mounted.

4. A mounting for an air conditioner comprising a housing adapted to be carried on the roof of a closed type automobile and a shroud skirt detachably secured around the base portion'of the housing and pre-formed to engage the roof and conform with the contour of the roof on which the housing is to be carried whereby a standardized housing is usable on all types of roofs by selection of a particulartype of shroud skirt for each roof contour.

5. An air conditioner for mounting on the roof of a closed type vehicle comprisingv a' base plate having air inlet and outlet openings therethrough, a member mounted on said base plate dening in the central portion thereof an opentopped ice chest and passageways on each side of the ice chest communicating respectively with said inlet and outletopenings in the base plate, a plurality of tubes extending through said ice chest connecting the passageways provided by said member, a blower secured to said member for propelling air from the inlet opening through the passageways for discharge through the outlet opening, insulation surrounding said member and blower, a door for closing the top of the ice chest and a sheet metal covering member carried by the having air inlet and outlet openings there.

through, a member secured to said plate and defining with the plate a flr'st passageway and a second passageway in spaced relation and comlin unicating respectively with said inlet and outlet openings in the base plate, said member providing an ice chest between said passageways, said ice chest having a heat exchange surface forming a wall of a chamber establishing communication between said passageways, a blower communicating with one of said passageways to direct air against said heat exchange surface to be cooled by contact therewith, insulation surrounding said member and blower, a casing carried from said base plate enclosing the insulation and providing a streamlined contour for the unit and a door giving access to said ice chest.`

7. An air conditioning unit for vehicles comprising a base plateA having a plurality of air inlet and outlet openings through the front and rear thereof, a plurality of castings on said plate in spaced parallel relation, each casting defining a central ice chest and passageways on each side of the ice chest communicating respectively with one or more inlet openings and one or more outlet openings in the base plate, said ice chests having heat exchange surfaces providing ducts connectingthe passageways, blowers secured to the castings for propelling air from the inlet ports through the ducts out of the outlet ports, insulation surrounding said castings and blowers, and a covering carried by the base plate surrounding said insulation to provide a stream-lined contour for the unit.

8. A standardized' automobile air conditioner adapted to be mounted on the roofof a closed type automobile comprising an insulated housing for mounting on the roof of the vehicle having air ports adapted to register with openings provided through the roof whereby air from the interior of the vehicle may circulate through the housing, air cooling means in said housing and a shroud skirt surrounding the bottom portion of the housing and pre-formed to engage the roof and to conform with the particular roof line contour.

9. A self-contained air conditioning unit ior automotive vehicles comprising a streamlined heat insulated housing `mounted on a base plate, said base plate having air inlet and air outlet ports therein', a blower in said housing for propelling air through the housing, a motor in said housing for driving said blower, an ice chest in said housing in the path of said a'ir and a door in said housing giving access to the chest whereby said housing can be mounted on the roof of an automobile and operated to cool the air in the automobile with a cooling agent in the ice chest thereof by cutting holes through the roof to register with the ports in the base plate and connecting the blower motor with a source of current on the vehicle.

` RALPH F. PEO. 

